The Reporter (Vacaville)

‘Messy’ event sparks some creative fun

- By Kimberly K. Fu kfu@thereporte­r.com Contact reporter Kimberly K. Fu at 707-453-8136.

Glitter flew, paints dripped and smiles abounded Wednesday as kids and their loved ones went all-in at the Suisun City Public Library’s Big Messy Art Day.

The lure — enjoying the outdoors after an isolating pandemic and indulging in artistic pursuits.

Dozens turned out for the event, crowding around supply-laden tables on the library’s side lawn.

Cooling breezes kept the temperatur­e nice, and quickly dried painted pieces laid out in the sun.

There were paper bag puppets, collages, paintings and even a “free art” offering, where you could create whatever your heart desired.

Eli Obert, 1 1/2 of Suisun City, appeared to love a sparkly silvery glitter. Waves of it soared as he worked on his masterpiec­e, featuring a bright green heart with stick-on googly eyes and masses of the shiny stuff.

Seems Eli has a creative streak and his mom, Katie, and grandma, Cheryl, thought the outing suited him perfectly.

“It’s super fun for the kids,” Katie said.

As well, it provided an outlet for everyone.

“We needed to get out of the house,” Cheryl admitted. “I think it’s good for them to get out and socialize.”

Osvaldo Mercado, 8, of Suisun City, simply loved the art.

“It’s really fun. I love doing this. I love art,” he shared while working on a picture of Spider Man vs. a Tyrannosau­rus Rex. “I do comics. Dinosaurs, superheroe­s, breakfast superheroe­s. I made one comic called Pancake Man.”

His dad, Juan Pablo, expressed pride in his son’s talents and satisfacti­on with the library.

He talked about the great programs at the library, the array of books, the free books sometimes offered to patrons. On Wednesday, a box full of books was offered at no cost compliment­s of First Five.

“They offer a lot of great incentives to read,” Juan Pable said.

Nearby, Amiko Ramirez, 5, of Suisun City pasted pictures of animals on her collage. There was a huge dog, a small cheetah and a bumblebee.

“This one,” she indicated the dog, ” is Strawberry Bubblegum,” she advised, adding that it resembles her pooch, Onyx. “This,” she pointed to the bee, “is Flower.” Alas, the cheetah didn’t have a name.

“I think it’s beautiful,” said her mom, Monique Barrett, of the event. “I think that this is bringing people together since COVID. It’s just beautiful.”

More activities are planned throughout the year.

For more informatio­n, visit suisunlibr­ary.com.

 ?? JOEL ROSENBAUM — THE REPORTER ?? Eli Obert, 1 1/2 of Suisun City, pauses to study his paint-covered arm as he works on an art project Wednesday during “Big Messy Art Day” at the Suisun City Library. Young artists had the opportunit­y to make paintings, collages, and paper bag hand puppets during the event that one of the first large group activities held at the Suisun City branch after they were all canceled last year due to the pandemic.
JOEL ROSENBAUM — THE REPORTER Eli Obert, 1 1/2 of Suisun City, pauses to study his paint-covered arm as he works on an art project Wednesday during “Big Messy Art Day” at the Suisun City Library. Young artists had the opportunit­y to make paintings, collages, and paper bag hand puppets during the event that one of the first large group activities held at the Suisun City branch after they were all canceled last year due to the pandemic.

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